New Species of Noctuidæ for 1902

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. i 9 o2.] Smith : New Noctuid/E. 33

Astero'ecanium pustulous (Ckll. ).
g. 5. Last abdominal segment. Fig. 10. Last abdominal segment of the

" 6. Marginal pits of the same. sa-ne.

" 7. Ventral aspect of first stage. " II. Pupa g .

" 8. Antenna of the same.

Ltcanum htmispharicum Targ.

Fig. 12. Antenna of the female. Fig. 15. Marginal spines of the same.

" 13. Posterior margin of the female. " 16. Leg of the same ; «, claw.

" 14. Fits of the same

Plate V.

Lecanium hesperidum L. var. pacificum, var. nov.

Fig. 17. Ventral aspect of female. Fig. 20. Spines of the anterior incision.

" 18. Antenna of the same. " 21. Anal plate of the same.

" 19. Marginal spines of the same. " 22. Leg of the same ; a, claw.

Aspidiotus latania Sign.
Fig. 23. Female ; o, antenna of same. Fig. 24. Ventral aspect of the last abdo-
minal segment of the female.

Aspidiotus smilacis Comst.

Fig. 25. Female. Fig. 26. a, i, ventral aspect of the last

abdominal segment of the female.

NEW SPECIES OF NOCTUID.dE FOR 1902.

By John B. Smith, Sc.D.

This is the first of a series of descriptive papers based upon ma-
terial that has accumulated in my collection or has been sent in by
corespondents. As the drawers are rearranged from time to time
the doubtful specimens are separated out until such period as further
accessions definitely determine their status. Then descriptions are
made as time allows and of those that are presented here, some were
written five or six months ago.

It has not been until within very recent times that entomologists
have appreciated fully the importance of accurate data concerning
localities and dates of captures, and of good series of "common"
species from all sections. Perhaps nowhere more clearly than in the
Noctuids can formative species be studied when sufficient material is
at hand. Species that have been in the past accepted as identical
with European forms have shown, on closer study, divergencies that

34 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

have authorized new specific names : varieties from other faunal regions
within our own borders have shown constant characters that have made
their real status a matter of serious question, and the collector who,
now-a days, fails to secure a good series of all the " common " species
within his reach fails to grasp the opportunity to contribute towards
an answer to the question, ' ' What is a species ?' '

My greatest difficulty has been, of late, to get such "common
species," for nobody has them in duplicate : and yet, in such types as
Agrotis {Noctud) rubifera, perconflua and allies we find the influence
of locality most strongly marked and the range of variation in macula-
tion, as compared with sexual divergence most markedly illustrated.

In other words, one male and one female from any given locality
may, but do not necessarily, illustrate a species. One hundred speci-
mens of each sex may illustrate the species as it occurs in one locality,
but they do not necessarily illustrate the range of the species. We
have always admitted that genera were matters of individual opinion.
I am not ready to say as much for species ; but I do claim that we
cannot say positively what is a species and what is a local variety until
we have an abundance of material from each of the localities concerned.
Furthermore, my studies seem to lead to the conclusion that there are
very few species, comparatively, that occur unmodified in two or more
real faunal regions. We may have closely allied, or representative
species and we do undoubtedly have some widely distributed forms
that hold their characteristics under the most divergent conditions ;
but as a rule specimens from well-defined faunal regions must be very
closely compared before they can be said to be certainly the same.

Euthyatira pennsylvanica, var. nov.

In the course of a paper on the geographical distribution of North
American Lepidoptera, Mr. Grote referred (Can. Ent., XVIII, p. 215)
to a form of Thyatira pudens found in Anticosti. In a footnote he
adds : " This variety is worthy of a distinct name, and in my second
Check List of N. Am. Noct. (MSS. ) I have called it anticostiensis .
The moth is grayer, more hoary, the pink color has faded. Mr. Wm.
Couper has taken this form on the island." In the text he refers to
the matter in this wise : " From what I have seen I think that Thyatira
pudens, found on Anticosti, has become grayer, the pink spots less
vivid than on the mainland ; the darkening by mixture of color,
noticeable in polar species, has here taken place."

March, 1902.1 Smith : New Noctuid^e. 35

This is clear and there can be no sort of doubt of the character of
the variation which Mr. Grote intended to name. I have seen just
this sort of change in other species, but not in pudens. During the
year or two last past, Mr. H. D. Merrick, of New Brighton, Pennsyl-
vania, has taken a considerable number of specimens, to which, in
some way, the name anticostiensis came to be applied. It differs from
the type form in lacking the pink shades entirely, and in having the
normal maculation more complete and more clearly written. The
ground color is also richer and more intense than in the type form, so
that, when I had only a single specimen I strongly suspected a new
species. Mr. Merrick has taken so many examples however, in com-
pany with the normal form and under conditions which convinced him
that copulation between the two had taken place, that the relation be-
tween the two remains hardly doubtful. It is certainly a strongly
marked departure from the type and therefore entitled to a varietal
name which I derive from the locality. It is of course probable that
the same form occurs elsewhere, but its local abundance at this point
deserves recognition.

Dates of capture range from April 29th to May 5th, and the species
is thus an early flier.

Cyathissa pallida, sp. nov.

Ground color white with a faint creamy tinge. Head and thorax concolorous, the
posterior thoracic tuft tipped with pale rusty brown. A short rusty basal streak, em-
phasized by a few black scales ; but not prominent. Basal line marked by a few rusty
costal scales only. T. a. line geminate, incomplete, rusty luteous, a little angulated
below the cell, then almost evenly oblique to the inner margin : in the submedian in-
terspace the inner line is emphasized by black scales. S. t. line not defined. The
ordinary spots are not defined. The upper half of the median space is pale slate
gray, and out of this shade is cut a large oblong white spot, extending from costa into
the median cell and well defined by darker scales. A slaty gray shading also extends
through the s. t. space, narrowly bordering the t. p. line to the angle, where the
shade expands and extends to the anal angle, leaving free a semicircular area on the
inner margin beyond the t. p. line : this area is faintly yellow-tinged. There is also
a vague slaty shading within the excised outer margin below apex. Secondaries
white, immaculate. Beneath white, with a vague creamy tinge along the costal area.
Expands I inch = 25 mm.

Habitat. — Walters Station, California, in April (George S.
Hutson).

Has the peculiar pallid desert appearance and is represented by
one good female. It seems to be fully congeneric with the Texan
percara and the type of maculation is identical ; but this is a larger

36 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

species and the color is totally different. There is no trace of green
anywhere and, as the specimen was perfectly fresh when received and
had not been exposed to light, I do not think there ever was any. It
is an interesting occurrence and adds a mate to a species that has been
long solitary in our lists.

Noctua spreta, sp. nov.

Size and form of lubricans, for which it is readily mistaken. The obvious differ-
ence is in the absence of all black markings on the collar. Ground color a fawn
gray, with a variable admixture of reddish, changing the dominant tint. Basal line
single, marked by a black bar across the costal region, then broken and obscure or
altogether lost. T. a. line also single, variably indicated, sometimes lost, usually
traceable below the median vein, never complete. T. p. line single, usually marked
on the costa only, sometimes traceable for its full course as a smoky, evenly outcurved
line which is a very little lunulated between the veins. The outer portion of the wing
is usually a little darker, and in this the s. t. line may or may not be marked by
whitish dots. So there may be also a blackish shading on the cos.ta preceding this
line. An obscure, lunulated, terminal line is indicated. None of the markings above
described are prominent or contrasting, and all is obscure, powdery.

In some examples a reddish median line is traceable. Orbicular wanting. Reni-
form marked by black scales or small irregular spots ; not outlined. Secondaries
smoky in both sexes, darker in the female, a little paler basally. Head a little paler
gray in front ; sides of palpi blackish. Expands 1.30-1.50 inches = 33-37 mm.

Habitat. — Hastings, Florida.

Four males and six females from Mr. George Franck, in fair con-
dition. The line of variation has been indicated, and the specimens
before me range from almost immaculate to one in which all the de-
scribed maculation is easily visible.

Feltia subgothica Haw.

The rearrangement of my Agrotid series brought to light certain
examples from British Columbia, Vancouver and Washington, that did
not appear to be specifically identical with the eastern form. The
specimens ran larger, the markings seemed better defined and the reni-
form tended to become upright, not kidney -shaped or even oval. With
this was also a more or less marked discoloration, the spot in some ex-
amples being of a uniform, discolorous, pale yellow. I suspected the
latter of being evanidalis Grt. , but the antennae are not more obviously
pectinated than in the eastern form.

Finally I wrote to my correspondents for specimens, and bought a
lot from Mr. George Franck, so that I now have before me a series of
over 100 selected examples ranging in locality from the Atlantic to the

March, 1902.] Smith : New Noctuid^. 37

Pacific, from Calgary, Alberta, to Hot Springs, New Mexico, and
"Texas." I have none from any part of California, but have exam-
ples from Corvallis, Oregon ; Seattle and Pullman, Washington ; and
several points on Vancouver Island.

I have arranged these again and again in different ways, using first
one character and then another as basis, and have failed at last to
convince myself that there is more than one species, though the ex-
tremes differ markedly. Nowhere, however, is there any tendency
toward either tricosa or herilis and the validity of the species as dis-
tinct from them is abundantly confirmed. Neither antennal nor geni-
talic structure give us any assistance. There is a little difference, ap-
parently, in the length or thickness of the former as a whole, and of
the lateral processes of the joints, but not more than is within specific
range. In fact, two specimens most nearly alike and from identical
localities sometimes showed greater differences than the most unlike
examples from opposite sides of the continent. The genitalic structure
of the male is absolutely identical.

Taken as a whole examples from the Pacific Coast and from Calgary
are larger and seem more robust, especially in the male. In my
eastern series the males as a whole are smaller and slighter than the
females. In the Oregon, Vancouver and Washington series the males
were uniformly larger than the females. There are of course small
males and large females, but the average is as I stated.

In the color of the secondaries the range is from almost uniform
white to an even smoky black, in both sexes ; though the females
rarely have clean secondaries. All intermediate forms are found, from
the narrow dusky margin to the complete domination of the darker
color. The costa, subterminal and internal regions may be bright
yellowish gray and contrasting, or they may be even, smoky, without
any relief.

The orbicular varies little : it may be darker or lighter than the
costa and may be rounded or angulated at the bottom. The reniform
varies more, in color and in form As to form it is normally kidney-
shaped, of moderate size and well proportioned. Sometimes it
broadens and the outer margin becomes straight. Then it may narrow
and the curves become intensified ; or it may become upright, losing
all curve, or becoming a long oval. Normally the spot is annulate
with yellowish, the center reddish or brown, with a narrow, yellow,
central line. This may become uniform, the central line being lost ;

38 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

or it may become much more distinctly emphasized giving rise to
greater contrast, or the entire center may be discolored, either reddish
or bright yellow.

Altogether there is much more variation than in many other
species that look less alike, and there is good evidence of a beginning
racial separation. The simplicity and uniformity of the sexual
structures tend to prevent fixity in such variations as do occur, and
allow only such differences as the relative size of the sexes to become
at all permanent.

Feltia edentata, sp. nov.

Has the general appearance and size of tricosa Lintner. Head smoky above,
reddish-gray inferiorly. Palpi smoky at the sides. Collar smoky brown from base to
a black line above the middle then with a whitish, brown and whitish line to the tip.
Patagise gray, and brown mottled ; disc of thorax brown, posterior tuft grayish.
Primaries smoky brown, relieved by reddish-gray shadings as follows : over the sub-
costal vein to the cell, not involving the costa which remains smoky ; over the median
vein ; over the claviform and below it to the s. t. line ; and in the s. t. space. The
veins are dark marked through this lighter shading. Basal and transverse anterior
lines reddish-gray, slender, marked only through the submedian interspace. Trans-
verse posterior line marked only by the contrast between the dark median space beyond
the cell and the lighter subterminal space. Subterminal line marked by the contrast
between the evenly dark narrow terminal space, and the paler subterminal space ;
not extending to the pale apex. A series of small black terminal lunules, beyond
which is a yellowish line at the base of the fringes. Claviform long, extending almost
across the median space, black margined, smoky filled, the smoky shade extending to
the base and filling the submedian interspace. Cell before, around and beyond the
ordinary spots, smoky. Orbicular V-shaped, open above, invaded by the reddish-
gray shade on the subcostal, margined by a paler line. Reniform narrow, oblong,
upright, a little wider above, outlined by a reddish-gray annulus, filled with rusty
brown. Secondaries soiled yellowish white at base, darkening to a smoky outer
border. A yellow line at base of fringes which are pale, with a smoky interline.
Beneath, primaries smoky, becoming yellowish along inner margin ; secondaries
whitish, powdered along the costal region with a large apical cloud which is usual in
this series. Expands 37 mm. = 1.50 inches.

Habitat. — Pullman, Washington, August 13.

A single male, found mixed with a lot of unspread specimens of
subgothica. From that species it is at once separable by the lack of
the dents or rays extending through the terminal space. It is thus in
reality a nearer ally of tricosa Lintner. It differs by the dark costa, by
the shape of the reniform and by the course of the transverse posterior
and subterminal lines so far as these are traceable. The antennae are
quite strongly brush-like, the lateral processes from the joints quite

March, 1902.J Smith : New Noctuid^e. 39

long, the bristle tufting well-marked. In the actual arrangement of
these tufts it is nearer to subgothica than to tricosa. It is probable
that other examples occur, confused under another specific name.

Luperina trigona, sp. nov.

Ground color a dull, pale luteous, variably irrorate with deep smoky brown.
Head and thorax concolorous with either the light or the darker parts of the wings.
Primaries with costa, terminal space, and a broad band along the internal margin
luteous, leaving a contrasting dark brown triangle which touches the outer margin
only at the costa in the s. t. space. The median lines are lost. S. t. line marked
by the contrasting colors, and by a series of darker, more velvety brown spots. A
series of very small, powdery, blackish, interspacial terminal lunules. Median vein
to the end of cell a little luteous. Orbicular small, variable in shape, luteous. Reni-
form moderate, upright, a little constricted, incompletely outlined, luteous, partly
brown filled inferiorly . Secondaries pale luteous, the disk a little smoky in the female.
Beneath pale luteous, disk a little smoky, all wings with a narrow darker lunule.
Expands I.60-I.80 inches = 40-45 mm.

Habitat. — Smith County, Tenn., August 6, 7, 21.

Two males and two females in fair condition only, of this remark-
able species are before me, through the kindness of Mr. Stanley T.
Kemp, of Elizabeth. It is allied most nearly to passer, but is a much
more robust species. There is absolutely no danger of mistaking this
species and that it should so long have evaded discovery I cannot
understand. I know nothing of the country where it was taken or or
the circumstances of its capture.

Hadena miseloides Gn.

In looking over a long series of specimens of this species to deter-
mine the range of variation to be represented in the collection, I
noticed that certain Texan examples did not seem to fit anywhere
satisfactorily, so, by the courtesy of Dr. Dyar, I secured such as were
represented in the U. S. National Museum from that State ; in all six
specimens. All are females, unfortunately, and while their association
with the normal form of the species is obviously indicated, they offer
certain characteristic features that indicate a well-marked geographical
race, at least.

Compared with a series of 15 female examples within the normal
range of variation, the Texans ranged an average of 32 mm. in ex-
panse against 34 mm. in the others. None of them had the brilliant
mossy green powderings of the typical form. Two specimens had an
obviously green shading, but much reduced in extent and not at all

40 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

prominent. Two have no trace of green whatever and on two others
it is reduced to mere indications. The ordinary markings, perhaps as
the result of the more even color, seem to be more even and better
denned ; this is especially true of the median shade line. The s. t.
line is more even, better denned, and in all cases there is an obvious
terminal space not invaded to the margin by extensions from the s. t.
space. A blackish bar extends from anal angle through subrnedian
interspace almost or quite to the t. p. line. This is more or less in-
dicated in some examples of the type form in a diffused shading which
does not extend within the s. t. line. Finally there is a distinct bar
from the end of the claviform to the t. p. line which is also diffusedly
indicated in the type.

I do not think we have to do with a good species here ; but it is
a well-marked geographical race which deserves a name that it may
receive further attention from collectors. As such I propose the term
Hadena miscellus. Two examples only have definite localities ; Waco,
Texas, September i ; Blanco County, Texas, no date ; two others are
from Belfrage, May 4 and April 20. The others are marked Texas
only, without other indication.

A good series, including males would be very desirable.

Hadena macerata, sp. nov.

Resembles miseloides in wing form, type of maculation and general coloration.
Head mottled with green, yellow and blackish scales. Collar deep brown at base,
mossy yellowish green above, a blackish line through the center of this shade-
Thoracic disc mottled with greenish-yellowish, white and black, posterior tuft yellow
tipped. Abdomen smoky gray, tufts prominent and more ashen gray. Primaries
irregularly mottled with mossy yellow and greenish scales, the former predominating ;
all the ordinary markings broken and obscured except for the very large, white reni-
'orai. The basal line extends across the wing, is geminate, broken, best marked on
the subrnedian vein where a black tooth is sent in to the base from the inner part of
the line. T. a. line so badly broken as to be obscure, but as a whole it is a little out-
curved. T. p. line geminate, outer line broken, obscure, gray ; inner line black, less
broken ; somewhat squarely exserted over the cell thence rather evenly oblique to the
inner margin. The space between the median lines is the darkest part of the wing,
becoming blackish below the cell and between the ordinary spots, while costal region
and internal margins are mottled. On the costal region a black median shade is
clearly marked, extending obliquely between the ordinary spots, angled below the
reniform, thence direct to inner margin where it again becomes obvious. Claviform
small, pointed, black, a black shade extending from it through subrnedian interspace,
to t. p. line. Orbicular oval, oblique, annulate with white, mossy filled, variable in
size. Reniform large, subquadrate, the angles rounded, contrasting white. S. t.
space with grayish rays extending from t. p. line toward outer margin ; in part met by

March, 1902.] Smith : New Noctuid.*. 41

similar rays from outer margin, breaking up the space into more or less complete oval
blotches. No complete s. t. line, and only indications are found of what normally
occurs. Fringes brown, cut with whitish on the veins. Secondaries smoky, tending
to become paler toward base. Beneath powdery ; primaries smoky on the disc, termi-
nal space paler, a broad blackish cloud at middle of costa and a broad, powdery, ob-
scure extra-median band. Secondaries paler with broad inner and extra-median
powdery blackish bands and a discal spot. Expanse, 32 mm. = 1.28 inches.

Habitat. — Cartwright, Manitoba, Julyn; Winnipeg, Manitoba,
July 7.

Two females from Mr. Heath and Mr. Hanham, respectively.
They resemble a very much mottled miseloides and so I took them to
be when first received. Comparing with a large series of the old
species, however, showed that this was a specific character, emphasized
by the absence of the s. t. line and other minor features. It is prob-
able that the white contrasting reniform may be absent in some ex-
amples as it is not infrequently in miseloides. It is another of those
cases of a representative species of which we have had so many of late
years from this same locality.

Hadena unicincta, sp. nov.

Ground color bluish ash gray, with blackish powderings, the veins of primaries
all blackish. Head and thorax concolorous, patagise a little smoky at the base of the
wings. A distinct, slender black streak extends from the base through the submedian
interspace to the transverse anterior line. T. a. line marked only by a geminate
lunule between internal vein and inner margin. Transverse posterior line single,
black, obscure over the cell where it is squarely exserted, well marked below vein 2
to the inner margin, rigid, followed by a white shade. This is the most prominent bit
of wing ornamentation and gives the name to the species. S. t. line practically obso-
lete. A broken blackish, terminal line. Claviform large, broad, concolorous, out-
ined by a distinct narrow black line which is not entirely complete. Orbicular large,
oval, oblique, almost or quite touching the reniform inferiorly, narrowly black ringed,
whitish filled. Reniform moderate in size, kidney-shaped, outwardly not defined, in-
wardly well margined by a black line, whitish filled, but merging outwardly into the
ground. Secondaries even, smoky pale gray, with a tendency to white at the base.
Beneath, pale gray, powdery. Expands 37 mm. = 1.50 inches.

Habitat. — Soda Springs, August 27, California; Sierra Nevada,
California, two female examples.

The specimen from Sierra Nevada is type No. 4949 of the U. S.
National Museum, and both came through Mr. Henry Edwards, years
ago and at quite different times. It is a well and simply marked form
which is not easily mistaken. In its wing form it is allied to diversi-
color Morr., the type of maculation being also similar, or yet more
nearly like claudens. In the absence of a male it is not possible to

42 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

say with certainty that the insect does not belong with Xylophasia, but
I deem it unlikely.

Mamestra circumvadis, sp. nov.

Ground color white, mottled or overlaid by grayish-yellow or olivaceous shades
and tints. Front of head and sides of palpi brownish ; vertex white, a black line
between the bases of the antennae. Collar white, with a luteous band near tip and
some black scales laterally. Thorax white, speckled with olivaceous : dusky line
behind the collar, a similar line on the disc of the patagise and at the base of the
wings. Abdomen smoky. Tarsi obscurely white ringed. Primaries somewhat
blotchy in appearance, but with all the normal maculation present and well defined.
Basal line geminate, the inner portion black, outer brown, lunulate in the interspaces :
continued below the median vein by a subquadrate black spot above and a curved
black mark below the internal vein. The basal space is mostly whitish, but becomes
olivaceous toward the t. a. line. T. a. line geminate, nearly upright, a little out-
curved in the interspaces, the outer portion black in the cell and in the submedian
interspace ; obscure below the internal vein, where the margin is whitish almost to
the anal angle. T. p. line geminate, squarely exserted over the cell, inwardly ob-
lique and a little incurved below : inner line black, lunulate, the points well marked
on the veins. The median shade line is marked on the costa between the ordinary
spots, below which it runs close to the t. p. line ; visible only in the pale areas of
the median space which are just below the cell and along the inner margin. S. t.
line white, a little irregular, edges not sharply defined, preceded by prominent, sagit-
tate black spots in the third, fourth and fifth interspaces. Lower part of the s. t.
space whitish. Terminal space evenly olivaceous gray. A series of small black,
interspacial, terminal lunules, beyond which the pale interlined fringes are cut with
brown. Claviform short, broad, incompletely outlined by black scales. Orbicular
large, nearly round, white, with a diffuse luteous gray center. Reniform large, wide,
broadly white ringed, the center somewhat paler than the rest of the dark wing shad-
ing. Secondaries smoky, blackish, paler at base, with an extra-median dark line, a
vague discal lunule and white interlined fringes. Beneath with an almost uniform
smoky suffusion over a white base : an outer transverse line and a discal lunule being
more obvious on the secondaries. Expands 1.36 inches = 34 mm.

Habitat. — Head of Pine Creek, Calgary, Alberta, July 21, 1900,
Mr. Dod (No. 31).

This striking species was first sent me by Mr. Dod in December,
1900, and was returned to him as probably new. It was again sent
me in 1901, still unique, and is now described from the female only —
a fine, almost perfect example.

This species is robust, with quadrate heavy thorax, short triangular
wings, and is allied to chartaria and de/essa.
Mames'ra vau-orbicularis, sp. nov.

Ground color an obscure, gray, luteous brown, with smoky and blackish shades
and powderings. Head with the vertex a little darker. Collar with a broad, dusky,

March, 1902.] Smith : New Noctuid*. 43

median transverse band. Thorax with patagiae scantily powdered with blackish
scales. Abdomen uniform, only a little paler than general ground. Primaries with
all the ordinary maculation present but, except for the ordinary spots, not contrasting
or prominently defined. Basal line geminate, blackish, with a sharp outward angle on
the subcostal. On the internal vein, just beyond the termination of the basal line, is
a black spot which extends obliquely upward toward the costal inception of the t. a.
line ; but is diffuse and becomes lost in the cell. T. a. line geminate, almost evenly
oblique outwardly. The component lines are slender, the outer blackish and marked
by a larger spot on costa, scarcely complete ; the inner is hardly denned except on
costa, and by the somewhat yellowish included space. T. p. line geminate, only a
little outcurved over the reniform and then almost evenly oblique to the inner margin.
The inner line is blackish, slender, crenulate ; the outer is composed of black, followed
by yellowish venular dots. The included space is yellowish. Median shade broad,
diffuse, smoky, outwardly oblique from costa between the ordinary spots, involving
the renif6rm inferiorly ; thence inward, parallel with and close to the t. p. line, to the
inner margin. S. t. line yellowish, very even except for a jog on vein 7, emphasized
by preceding, diffuse blackish spots. A series of small, black, terminal lunules.
Fringes yellowish, with a smoky interline. Claviform wanting. Orbicular small,
concolorous, open above, outlined by a black V, which forms the most prominent fea-
ture in the maculation. Reniform upright, long, narrow, somewhat crescent-shaped,
incomplete above and below, the sides with a black margin, within which is a narrow
yellow line. Secondaries dull smoky fuscous, a little paler and more transparent at
base. Beneath, smoky with a yellowish tinge, powdery, with a common outer line
which is incomplete on the primaries, and a discal spot which is well marked only on
the secondaries. Expands 1. 40 inches = 35 mm.

Habitat. — Corvallis, Oregon, June 21, 1900, Professor Washburn.

A single male in good condition. The antennae are feebly ciliated
only. The legs are densely clothed with long, divergent scales ; but
there appear to be no true tuftings. The species belongs with noverca
and goodelli in type of maculation ; but it is larger and more robust
than either. The thorax is quadrate, the vestiture rather loose, the
divided crest and the patagiae are both well marked. At first sight
the species recalls an Hadena of the binotata series, but the eyes are
obviously hairy. The characteristic V-mark will serve to identify the
species readily.
Oncocnemis balteata, sp. nov.

Head gray ; white with black scales intermixed : a blackish line across the front,
another between the antennae. Thorax rusty luteous, with white scales intermixed :
collar with alternating black and white lines, tipped with luteous. Primaries rusty
luteous at extreme base, darkening rapidiy to a smoky brown which extends to the
middle of the wing. This is followed l>y a broad whitish band, which outwardly
merges through luteous into a dark, smoky, terminal space. The ordinary maculation
is more or less clearly marked in all these spaces. Basal line geminate, marked across
the costal region only. T. a. line geminate, dark smoky, a little oblique and with

44 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

small outward bends in the interspaces. T. p. line geminate on costa only, thence
narrow, single, broken, luteous, squarely exserted over the cell and deeply incurved
beneath. This line runs entirely through the white area and is not at all well-marked.
S. t. line very close to the outer margin, broken, very irregular, marked partly by
white scale lunules, partly by preceding or following irregular black spots. A broken,
black terminal line. Fringes brown, at base ; outer half alternately cut with brown
and white. Claviform a very small black loop, filled with white scales. Orbicular
small, round, black ringed, with a white inner annulus and a small brown central dot.
Reniform rather large, kidney-shaped, very imperfectly outlined by luteous scales, the
whole macula being included in the white band. Secondaries white, a little luteous
at base, with a broad black marginal band and white fringes. Beneath white with
a broad black marg'nal band. Primaries smoky in the costal region and toward base :
fringes interlined and cut with black and white. Secondaries black-powdery on
costa toward base, with a small black discal dot and with white fringes. Expands
I inch = 25 mm.

Habitat. — Poncha Springs, Colorado, August 14th, Oslar.

One male in good condition. It belongs to the levis series, in
which the fringes are long and the outer black band of the secondaries
is defined. When spread there appears a continuous white band
across both wings somewhat as mfasciata ; but this is a smaller species
and quite distinct.

Oncocnemis regina, sp. nov.

Head, thorax and primaries very pale ashen gray with a yellowish tinge. Head
and base of collar with a somewhat reddish shade, the thoracic parts speckled with
black scales. Primaries with all the maculation present, but with a washed-out,
faded, powdery appearance. Basal line feebly traceable, single. T. a. line single,
narrow, brown, even, with an even outcurve. T. p. line blackish, single, irregularly
dentate, broadly outcurved over the cell and a little incurved below ; followed by a
creamy yellow shade which is the palest portion of the primary. Through the center
of the wing is a broad, vague, diffuse brown band. The s. t. line consists of yellow-
ish preceded by blackish scales, which emphasize the line and then fade into the s. t.
space, which, as a whole, is darker than the terminal space. The latter is a very finely
powdered creamy gray. Fringes yellowish, with brown lunules opposite the veins.
Claviform wanting. Orbicular round, moderate in size, with a broad yellowish an-
nulus ; the center of the ground color. Reniform moderate in size, broadly kidney-
shaped, yellow, with a central darker shading. Secondaries washed-out yellow, with
a broad black border, the fringes yellow. Beneath, both wings yellow, with broad
black borders and yellow fringes. Expands 1. 1 2 inches = 28 mm.

Habitat.— Regina, N. W. T., 1886, Dr. James Fletcher.

A single male, in poor condition, but with the wings of one side
nearly perfect. I have had it in my collection for years, awaiting a
mate ; but up to the present time none has appeared. The species is
much paler and has a more faded, washed-out appearance than any
other of the yellow-winged forms.

March, 1902.] Smith : New Noctuid/E. 45

Helotropha obtusa, sp. nov.

Dark smoky brown, almost blackish Antennae whitish above, distinctly reddish
below. Head and thorax concolorous save that the tips of collar and thoracic tuftings
are somewhat lighter brown. Abdomen uniformly smoky Basal line obscurely
marked, consisting of a very narrow black, preceded by an equally narrow pale shad-
ing. T. a. line geminate, well removed from base, outwardly oblique, even, the inner
line narrow, black, the outer lost in the black median space. T. p. line geminate,
even, obtusely curved over cell, then evenly oblique below, to the hind margin close
to the point reached by the t. a. line. The median space is thus V-shaped and this is
black or blackish-brown below the median vein ; towards costa and in the cell where
it is broken by the ordinary spots the shade lightens a little, but continues darker than
the rest of the wing. S. t. line very narrow, rivulous, composed of whitish scales,
more or less relieved by dusky preceding and following shades. Apex gray powdered.
A series of black, interspacial terminal lunules. Fringes smoky brown, with a yellow
line at base, and cut with yellow opposite the veins. A very short, broad claviform
is outlined in black scales. Median vein marked with pale scales through the dark
median space, and these scales are continued on veins 3 and 4 from the forking to the
s. t. space. Orbicular small, oval, oblique, of the ground color, very narrowly out-
lined by pale scales. Reniform upright, inferiorly dilated and indefined, of the ground
color, defined by a very narrow pale line except as above stated. Secondaries dark
smoky, a narrow extra-median line and a discal lunule being faintly traceable. Be-
neath smoky, very powdery, with a large discal spot and sometimes an extra-median
line on the secondaries. The primaries in one case have also a vague discal spot.
Expands 1. 12-1. 32 inches = 28-33 mm.

Habitat. — Ashleys Ferry, Claremont, N. H., August 17, 1901,
September 3, 1900, Mr. Foster.

Three males and one female, the former the smaller examples,
none of which are really good.

The species is so utterly unlike any other known to me that I sus-
pected a foreign origin when the first example came into my hands.
It is perhaps questionable whether the species can remain in Helo-
tropha ; but the peculiar type of maculation allies it to Euplexia,
which it also resembles in wing-form, while in other respects the
structural details point to reniformis which is resembled by the new
form in the shape of the ordinary spots and the whitish markings of
the median vein and its branches.

The specimens were communicated by Mr. F. H. Foster.

Eucalyptera strigata, sp. nov.

Ground color creamy white or yellowish, varying a little in tint, and variably
black or brown speckled. Head below the frontal tuft, the sides of the palpi and
the anterior legs deep brown. Primaries with a broad somewhat diffuse blackish
streak through the center of the wing, not quite reaching the base and usually fading
out just short of the outer margin. Two small black points indicate the ordinary spots.

46 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

T. p. line indicated by a curved series of smoky venular points. A series of smoky,
terminal, interspacial marks. The brown or blackish powdering on the primaries
tends to darken the apical and terminal regions of the wing. Secondaries paler
creamy, tending to dusky toward the apex. Beneath yellowish, primaries with a vari-
able smoky suffusion ; either a vague reproduction of the upper striga or involving the
entire disc. Expands .90-1.30 inches = 23-32 mm.

Habitat. — Hackley, Texas, May 29; September 1-10.

Three males and six females from Mr. George Franck, who has
others. The collector and the conditions under which they were col-
lected are unknown to me. The species differs obviously from the
other described forms by the continuous central streak and punctiform
t. p. line. The males are smaller throughout and have the antennae
lengthily ciliated. The females vary more than the males, not only
in size, but in relative distinctness of maculation. In the series before
me the smallest female is as large as the largest male.

Platysenta albipuncta, sp. nov.

Resembles videns in appearance, but is paler, not so reddish, not so glossy in ap-
pearance and is more contrastingly marked. General color a faintly-reddish gray,
more or less powdered with black. Head irrorated with white scales. Collar more
or less obviously tipped with white scales. Disc of thorax with a slight admixture of
whitish scales, giving it a hoary appearance in good specimens. Primaries with a
diffuse, blackish, powdery shade extending over the median vein, to or beyond the t.
p. line and, in some specimens, expanding so as to take in the darker terminal space.
In this dusky shading which is ihe dominant feature of the maculation, the orbicular
is variably indicated. Sometimes it is scarcely traceable ; sometimes a narrow circle
of white scales ; sometimes a concolorous disc of the ground color without powdering,
and this may or may not have a smoky center. The reniform consists of a prominent
white spot at the lower outer angle of the median cell, supplemented by scattered
white scales superiorly. T. a. line is completely traceable in one example as a narrow,
broken, outcurved, interrupted smoky line ; but is more usually indicated by venular
dots or is entirely wanting. T. p. line is a curved series of venular blackish dots,
followed and sometimes preceded by white scales. This also varies in distinctness ;
but is always traceable and usually obvious. The veins here are also more or less
speckled with white scales giving a somewhat hoary appearance. The veins are
otherwise smoky, darker outwardly. A black terminal line, and from this a dusky
shade may extend inwardly a variable distance. Fringes smoky or blackish, narrowly
cut with white and with a white dot at the base on the veins. Secondaries, white in
the male, or little yellowish soiled in the female, outer margin narrowly dusky, broader
on costa. Beneath, primaries gray, powdery, with a more or less obvious smoky outer
line. Secondaries powdery along costal margin only, and with a small discal dot
which may be wanting. Expands 1. 12-1. 25 inches = 28-31 mm.

Habitat. — Harris Co., Texas (Franck) ; Colorado Springs, VIII,
5, Colorado (Oslar).

March, 1902.] Smith : New Noctuim;. 47

Nine examples all males, and all save one from Texas. The
specimen from Colorado Springs has been in collection for some time
and was associated with videns. To the latter the new species is really
very close and, without so many examples of both forms as are before
me for comparison, J would hesitate about making the separation.

Taeniocampa alurina, sp. nov.

Ground color of the usual dusty fawn brown, resembling alia at first sight and
referable to the same group. Head and thorax concolorous. Antennae of the male
with short lateral processes, scarcely to be called pectinations yet more than the lateral
projections present in alia : the processes bristled as usual.

Primaries sparsely powdered, lessirrorate than alia, the median lines single and
fairly marked. Basal line present,, single, smoky, not prominent, very close to the
root of the wing. T. a. line smoky brown, single, a little diffuse, only a very little
outcurved. T. p. line single, smoky brown, quite well marked, a little outcurved
over the reniform, a little incurved below. On close examination it is seen that this
line is very finely crenulate, with small black dotlets on the veins ; but the crenulations
are filled in by the smoky shade so that it appears as a single, rather thick smoky line.
S. t. line narrow, yellowish, irregular, fairly complete in two out of the three examples
before me, preceded by a variable s. t. shade which may have a tinge of red. A
series of smoky interspacial terminal spots which may be distinct or barely traceable.
A diffuse median shade darkens the reniform and may or may not cross the wing.
Orbicular round or nearly so, concolorous, obscurely defined by a very narrow slightly
paler ring. Reniform moderate in size, only a little excavate outwardly, narrowly
outlined in yellowish, darker than the ground. A somewhat reddish shade over the
cell. Secondaries a paler reddish-gray, smoky outwardly, with a vague discal spot.
Beneath reddish-gray, powdery ; with a variably complete outer common line and a
discal spot on each wing. Expands 1.30-1.45 inches = 33-36 mm.

Habitat. — Near Chicago, Illinois, April 27, 28, A. Kwiat.

Three male examples sent in by Mr. Kwiat and representing all his
captures. Two of the examples are dated in 1900 and are very much
alike ; the third is dated in 1901 and resembles alia more closely than
either of the others. Had I received this example first, I would prob-
ably have put it down as being a slight variation of the common form.

Compared with alia it. is less powdery ; it is somewhat smaller, the
median lines obvious in all cases, which is contrary to what occurs in
alia. Finally, the genital structure of the male is distinctive, resem-
bling the European incerta more than the American representative.
The harpes are broadly oval, the tip evenly rounded ; clasper single,
long, very stout, sharply drawn out at tip, strongly curved, without
an accessory process at base. Compared with the figures given in my
revision of Tceniocampa, the differences pointed out will appear
obvious.

48 Journal New Yurk Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

It is not improbable that examples of this species may be confused
with alia in collections from the same faunal region.

Podagra, gen. nov.

Eyes naked, hemispherical, not prominent. Antennae in both sexes simple.
Head moderate in size, the front protuberant a trifle excavated centrally, with a
small conical median process and yet smaller lateral projections. Palpi small, not
exceeding the front ; terminal joint small, obtuse. Vestiture scaly. Thorax with
the patagiae marked, a little uplifted. Legs moderate except the anterior, which
have the femora and tibiae enlarged or dilated. Posterior tibiae with a few spinules
between the usual spurs ; median moderately spinulate throughout ; anterior some-
what abbreviated, inflated and with the upper surface closely set with prominent,
stout spines which are long, equal in diameter and bluntly terminated. Primaries
trigonate, costa obviously depressed beyond the middle, apices well marked, outer
margin evenly rounded, the fringes a little dentate opposite the veins.

The genus is unique in the armature of the fore tibiae, and should
be readily recognized.

Podagra crassipes, sp. nov.

Ground color of head, thorax and primaries a pale ashen gray with a clay yellow
or reddish-yellow shading. Head and collar luteous or pinkish. Head in front and
sides of palpi with black powderings. Thorax with black powderings which are
massed on the patagiae, on the posterior tuft and, to a less degree, on the disc. Ab-
domen evenly creamy yellowish. Primaries more or less black powdered, with the
luteous or pinkish tinge dominant in the basal and terminal spaces and longitudinally
through the center of the wing. Basal line wanting or barely indicated on the costa
only. T:,.a. line broken, incompletely geminate with a long outward tooth in the
submedian interspace; almost or quite meeting a similar, inward tooth from the t. p.
line. T. p. line geminate, even, broken, well outcurved over the cell, incurved
below, with a more or less well-marked inward tooth to meet that of the t. a. line in
the submedian interspace. The outer portion of the line is most obvious and, next to
this, is the pale included space ; the inner line being chiefly defined by the slight
color contrasts. Except through the cell the median space is blackish, powdered.
S. t. space blackish, powdery except opposite the cell. S. t. line black, broken,
emphasized on the veins which are sometimes black spotted, as a whole almost
evenly oblique. Terminal space evenly tinged or with only the veins marked with
black scales. A series of black, terminal, interspacial lunules, beyond which
the whitish fringes are cut with black. Orbicular a small black dot which is
sometimes wanting. Reniform wanting or very obscure, marked by two minute black
dots or by a vague paler shading which has no definite outlines. Claviform wanting.
Secondaries white in both sexes, with a smoky powdering over the veins outwardly
and with an indefined, powdery discal lunule. Beneath white, more or less powdery:
primaries tending to a pinkish shading, a smoky disk and a blackish costal shade at
(he s. t. line. All wings with a blackish discal lunule. Legs gray or blackish,
ringed with whitish. Expands .95-1.06 inches = 24-27 mm.

March, 1902.] SMITH : NEW NoCTUIDjE. 49

Habitat. — Quartzsite, Yuma County, Arizona, in March; Walters
Station, Colorado Desert, California, April 20 (George S. Hutson).

Three males and four females in good condition and very much
alike. It is a typical desert species with the peculiar reddish suffusion
over a gray base and a powdering of black scales over all. I know of
nothing that resembles it closely in appearance and certainly nothing
that has the same generic characters.

Crimona, gen. nov.

Eyes naked, hemispherical, of good size. Head will developed, not prominent ;
front protuberant, roughened, vestiture flattened hair and scales, projecting straight
forward. Palpi not extending beyond the front. Tongue strong. Antennae in the
O simple — male not at hand. Tibiae not spinose ; anterior short, broad, corneous,
with a single, median, claw-like process; median normal ; posterior leg aborted, not
more than half developed. Vestiture flattened hair and scales ; patagiae marked,
thorax quadrate, a well-marked posterior tuft. Abdomen with small dorsal tufts on
the basal segments. Primaries trigonate, costal margin nearly straight, apices well-
marked, outer margin very oblique, arcuate, with long fringes.

Resembles Oncocnemis somewhat in appearance, but differs in the
abbreviated fore tibise and in the protuberant, rough front. The hind
legs are abnormal in their development, and this feature may be acci-
dental in this example ; but otherwise the insect is perfect, and the
degeneration is perfectly symmetrical. The genus seems not to con-
flict with any other known to me.

Crimona pallimedia, sp. nov.

Ground color a light mottled luteous, varied with ashen gray. Head and collar
pale luteous, with an admixture of white and black scales ; the latter more numer-
ous at the base of the wings. Patagiae gray, the disk rather well powdered with
black scales. Thorax centrally luteous, the posterior tuft gray, black powdered.
The small abdominal tufts gray, else that part is very pale yellowish. Primaries with
basal space luteous, a little streaky, the yellowish shade narrowing toward the center
of the wing, but cutting the median space and expanding into the s. t. space which
is completely filled. Basal line wanting. Median lines interrupted. The median
space forms a somewhat elongate, trigonate gray patch on the middle of the inner
margin, and a much larger, triangular, gray area on the costa. These areas are lim-
ited by narrow black lines. Orbicular oval, whitish, with gray center, partly unde-
fined. Reniform large, kidney-shaped, outlined by a narrow black line, pale, with a
gray, powdery center. The terminal space is very narrow, gray, preceded by a pale
diffuse s. t. line, which is inwardly bordered by a darker luteous shading. A black
terminal line, more or less broken on the veins. The fringes mottled, ashen gray.
Secondaries whitish at base, darkening to a smoky extra-median shade : beyond that
is a whitish area which in turn darkens to a smoky border, sharply limited by a black
line at the base of the white fringes. Beneath white, with a broad blackish extra-

50 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

median shade band, and discal spots on both wings. Primaries blackish powdered
on costal area. Expands 1. 12 inches = 28 mm.

Habitat. — Walters Station, California, in April (Geo. S. Hutson).

This is a desert species, represented by one female only. It has
somewhat the wings form of Fala ptycophora and belongs to the same
general series with that species. The insect is peculiar in the cutting
of the median space, by which the basal and s. t. spaces are connected.
I know of nothing resembling it nearly enough to cause confusion.

Oxycnemis f usimacula, sp. nov.

Ground color bluish ashen gray, more or less black powdered. Antennae black
and white ringed. Head and thorax evenly black-speckle<}, the posterior scale tuft
more blackish at tip. Primaries with the maculation neatly defined, but with a streaky
appearance due to the fact that the veins are generally marked with white scales in
the darker areas and with black scales in the paler areas. Basal space paler than the
rest of the wing. Basal half line black, single, sometimes obscured. T. a. line single,
slender, black, with a prominent outward angulation centrally, and an outward bend
below the internal vein. T. p. line slender, black, its inception on the costa obscured
by a white and black streaking, inwardly oblique, with a somewhat abrupt though
slight incurve below the cell. S. t. line is a diffuse whitish shade from the apex to
the anal angle, irregular and variably defined. An incurved blackish shading starts
from the costa within the apex, crosses the t. p. line, outwardly marks the reniform
and ends on the median vein : forming the most prominently contrasting feature of the
wing. There is a black terminal line, and the long, gray fringes are narrowly cut
with white opposite the veins. Claviform white-ringed, paler than ground, extending
from the angle of the t. a. line nearly or quite across the median space, the pointed
tip often touching the t. p. line. The ordinary spots are fused and margined by a
narrow white line which, at the upper angle of the reniform breaks into a series of
white rays extending to the costa inside of the curved blackish shade already described.
Secondaries white at base, becoming smoky outwardly, more so in the female, the
veins a little soiled. There is a smoky terminal line and the fringes are somewhat
marked with smoky. Beneath, primaries blackish, the fringes prominently cut with
black and white. Secondaries white, a little powdered over costal region. Expands
.90-1.00 inch = 23-25 mm.

Habitat. — Quartzsite, Yuma Co., Arizona, in March ; Walters Sta-
tion, California, in April (George S. Hutson).

One male and seven females in good condition ; all desert collec-
tions. The species is close to advena Grt.; but that species has the
t. a. line upright and the ordinary spots subequal, with included
dots. The prominent angle in the t. a. line of the new species and
the long, fused, white-ringed ordinary spots, will form good distinc-
tive characters. The dark subapical shade is the most obvious feature
and quite characteristic. There is very little variation in the series

March, 1902.] Smith : New Noctuid^e. 51

before me — being all a matter of a little more or a little less in some
one or more unimportant features.

Acontia Ochs.

Since my Revision of the species of Acontia only a little over a
year ago (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc, XXVII, pp. 47-84, September, 1900)
I have received much material for determination and otherwise. This
has served to complete sets and to confirm identifications made. It
has also disclosed the existence of four heretofore undescribed species
three of which are here characterized. Of these one, from Lake
Worth, Florida, is due to the untiring work of Mrs. Slosson, who has
discovered so many- interesting species in her favorite localities. The
others are from the Southwest. With one exception the examples
described were taken by Mr. George S. Hutson on a prospecting trip
across the desert from Yuma County, Arizona, to San Bernardino
County, California. Exact localities are not available ; but those
marked Quartzsite, Yuma County, Arizona, were taken not far from
that camp, while those marked Walters Station, California, were taken
nearest to that place. In each case the territory was similar, except
in elevation, and quite a number of the species from both localities
proved identical. The character of Mr. Hutson's sendings indicates
the existence of a series of species of which we have thus far only the
merest fragments.

Acontia niveicoilis, sp. nov.

Head except extreme base, slaty gray. Collar white at base like the head, else
like the thorax, which is a glistening smoky or slate gray, verging toward deep choc-
olate brown. Abdomen smoky brown above, white beneath. Primaries white,
mottled with slate gray. The white area extends along the costal area and through
the cell to the reniform, broken by a slaty costal spot at the place of the t. a. line.
Below the median vein the wing is slaty gray or blackish to the t. p. line ; broken by
a white transverse line representing the pale included space of the t. a. line. Above
the reniform is a small, quadrate slaty spot, from which the dark gray t. p. line curves
over the cell and forms the apparent outer margin of the reniform. The orbicular is
a small black dot. The reniform is a dark, slate gray, round spot of moderate size,
surrounded by a well-defined white annulus and incompletely gray margined without
that. There is a quadrate white spot on the costa beyond the t. p. line and from the
dark shade which limits this outwardly, arises a slender broken line of gray scales,
parallel to and forming the outer part of the t. p. line. S. t. and terminal spaces
white except at apex, which is slate gray with a brown tinge. The apical dark area
is crossed by the thread like, white s. t. line and emphasized by an oval black spot
and some blue scales. Metallic blue scales are also found in the darker part of the

52 Journal New York Entomological Society. [Vol. x.

basal area. Some golden brown scales are at the extreme apex, extending on to the
fringes at that point. A black terminal line, broken on the veins. Fringes white
except at apex, opposite the cell and at anal angle, where they are slaty gray brown.
Secondaries whitish at base, becoming smoky outwardly. Fringes white, with a
smoky brown line at apex. Beneath, primaries smoky, with a yellowish tinge, costa
whitish with the dark blotches of the upper side more faintly reproduced. Secondaries
whitish with costal margin powdery, outer margin narrowly smoky, and a smoky
discal lunule. Expands .80 inch — 20 mm.

Habitat. — Walters Station, California, in March (Geo. S. Hutson).

A single male, in good- condition taken in the Colorado desert.
These species resembles lanceolata and belongs with it ; but it is much
smaller, the head is brown, and the collar is white at the extreme base
only. The maculation differs considerably in details, the new form
being really in this respect somewhat intermediate between lanceolata
and gonella. The front is normally convex only, vein 5 of the secon-
daries is practically obsolete, and veins 3 and 4 fork half way between
the end of the cell and the outer margin.

Acontia semiatra, sp. nov.

Head and thorax creamy white or yellowish with a slight reddish tinge, imma-
culate. Abdomen a trifle smoky, the margins of the segments narrowly white-ringed.
Primaries, basal space, creamy yellow with a slight reddish tinge, and this is the
underlying ground color. Basal line marked by a blackish spot on costa, and some-
times by another on the median vein. Median space a slaty, somewhat glistening
black ; almost solid in same specimens, usually a little mottled over the cell. The
t. a. line is defined by the inner boundary of the median space, very even, with a
slight outcurve centrally. The t. p. line is defined in the same way as the outer
boundary of the median space, very evenly outcurved over the cell and somewhat
irregularly incurved below :— the edge in the submedian interspace being somewhat
jagged. Beyond this line is a shading of the yellowish ground, narrow and some-
times linear from the costa to the middle of the wing, but usually filling the sub-
terminal space below that point. Terminal space blackish-gray, s. t. line very irreg-
ular, broken, whitish, sometimes barely traceable. A series of small white venular
dots at base of fringes. The ordinary spots are much obscured or barely traceable.
The orbicular may be guessed at as a more intensely black spot just without the inner
margin of the median space on the cell. The reniform is usually obvious, though
not defined ; consisting, when best marked, of a larger inferior and smaller superior
black spot, vaguely outlined by a yellowish shading. Secondaries smoky, paler at
base, the fringes whitish. Beneath, a pale, smoky, iridescent yellowish, without
obvious maculation ; but on the primaries, with a faint reflection of the upper surface.
Expands .80-. 85 inch = 20-21 mm.

Habitat. — Quartzsite, Yuma Co., Arizona, in March (Geo. S.
Hutson).

One male and three females, all in good condition and all very

March, 1902.] SMITH : NEW NOCTUID^. 53

much alike. The only variation is in the amount of mottling in the
upper portion of median space and in the amount of yellow in the s. t.
space.

The species is quite unlike any other of our described species and
does not fit properly into any of the series in my Revision of this
genus. It may perhaps be best associated with arizonm on superficial
appearance, until other allies are found.

The front is somewhat bulging and, on the hind wings, vein 5 is
well removed from 4 as well as weaker than the others.

Acontia tenuescens, sp. now

Head and thorax white, the head with a narrow, gray, transverse band across
middle of front. Abdomen wanting, but probably white, concolorous. Primaries
white from base to beyond the middle. On the costa the white is broken a little
beyond the middle by an ocher yellow mark, which extends toward the reniform and
is not prominent or sharply defined. Beyond this it extends almost to the apex.
Orbicular wanting. Reniform of good size, round, black, mottled with blue scales,
narrowly white-ringed. On the internal margin just outside the middle a moderate,
fairly defined, slate gray or blackish band starts, curving upward so as involve half of
the reniform and continuing on to or near to, the apex. The terminal space is
variably darkened by slate-gray or blackish shadings, and there is a blackish or dark
gray, broken terminal line. The fringes are white. Secondaries white, the apical
region shaded with blackish ; fringes white. Beneath, primaries black except the
margins and fringes ; secondaries white. Expands .88 inch = 22 mm.

Habitat. — Lake Worth, Florida.

Two female examples from Mrs. A. T. Slosson ; both of them
minus the abdomen ; but otherwise perfect examples. The loss of the
abdomen was in transportation and was not due to any error or
omission of the collector..

This species belongs with virginialis Grt., and binocula Grt., dif-
fering from both in the well-defined narrow curved band which
extends from the inner margin to the apex. In one example the apex
is fully attained without break other than a fine white s. t. line : in the
other the band is broken just beyond the reniform, traceable by yellow
scales to the apex, where the costal margin is again dark gray. It is
probable that all intermediate forms occur.

In this species the front bulges moderately, vein 5 of the seconda-
ries is from the cross -vein, well removed from 4, and it is much weaker
than the others.